7 blown calls that would have been overturned by MLB instant replay

7 blown calls that would have been overturned by MLB instant replay

Major League Baseball has decided to implement instant replay on practically all aspects of the game besides the strike zone starting in the 2014 season, USA TODAY Sports reported on Thursday. Managers will be given three challenges per game, which will be reviewed and determined by an official using MLB Advanced Media’s available footage at the company’s New York headquarters.

The news will certainly be welcomed by all players, coaches and fans interested in ensuring that MLB games are as fair as possible. But it will come as little solace to the following men — those victimized by some of the worst calls in baseball history, all of which would likely be overturned by instant replay if they happened today.

1. Armando Galarraga

Armando Galarraga and Jim Joyce (PHOTO: Paul Sancya/AP Photo)

On June 2, 2010, the Tigers’ journeyman starter pitched 8 2/3 perfect innings before first-base umpire Jim Joyce incorrectly called Indians hitter Jason Donald safe at first base on what should have been the 27th out of a rare perfect game. Both Galarraga and Joyce — who admitted afterward that he blew the call — handled the mishap with astonishing class, but good manners don’t put a perfect game on Galarraga’s resume.

2. Carlton Fisk and the 1975 Red Sox

In the tenth inning of the third game of the 1975 World Series between the Red Sox and Reds, Cincinnati pinch-hitter Ed Armbrister laid down a bunt, then collided with Fisk, Boston’s catcher, in fair territory. Fisk, attempting to gun down a runner at second base, fired the ball into center field to give the Reds runners on second and third. Fisk and manager Darrell Johnson argued for a runner’s interference call, but did not get one. A couple batters later, Joe Morgan drove home the winning run and the Reds went on to win the series in seven games.

3. Joe Mauer and the 2009 Twins

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In the top of the 11th inning of Game 2 of the 2009 ALDS between the Yankees and Twins, left-field umpire Phil Cuzzi called a Joe Mauer line drive foul even though it was fair by about a foot and even though making foul-line judgments is basically the left-field umpire’s whole job. Mauer should have been credited a ground-rule double, but settled for a single later in the at-bat. After two more singles, Mauer was stranded on third base to end the 11th, and the Yankees won the game in the bottom half of the inning.

4. Ron Gant and the 1991 Braves

In Game 2 of the 1991 World Series between the Braves and Twins, Gant stumbled back to first after singling and became tangled with Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek. As Hrbek caught a relay throw, he appeared to stumble backwards and physically pull Gant’s leg off of first base. Gant was called out by first-base umpire Drew Coble, and the Braves went on to lose by a run. The Twins won the World Series in seven games.

5. Tony Tarasco and the 1996 Baltimore Orioles

(PHOTO: Timothy Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

On a play that would be overturned even under the current instant replay rules, 12-year-old Yankees fan Jeffrey Maier reached over the right-field wall at Yankee Stadium during the 1996 ALCS to steal a home run for Derek Jeter. The play had wide-ranging consequences.

6. The 2007 Padres

The Colorado Rockies caught fire late in 2007 and surged their way into a Wild Card play-in game against the Padres. After an incredible, 13-inning, back-and-forth game, Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday tagged up and scored the winning run on a Jamey Carroll sacrifice fly when the ball bounced away from Padres catcher Michael Barrett. But after home-plate umpire Tim McLelland ruled Holliday safe, replays showed he slid right past home plate without ever touching it. Barrett applied the tag, but only after the call was made. A correct ruling would have extended the game and could have sent the Padres, not the Rockies, on to the 2007 postseason.

7. The 1985 Cardinals

In what is widely considered the most costly blown call in baseball history, umpire Don Denkinger ruled Royals batter Jorge Orta safe on a routine grounder in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6 of the 1985 World Series with the Royals trailing the Cardinals, 1-0. Orta was later retired on a fielder’s choice, but the Royals — benefiting from the free baserunner instead of an out — wound up with a walk-off, 2-1 win. They went on to win the series with an 11-0 drubbing in Game 7.

New rules will be little solace to players victimized by costly umpiring mistakes.

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